The Search for a Broader Peace, March 27–December 31, 1979


272. Letter From Israeli Prime Minister Begin to President Carter

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 10, Israel: Prime Minister Menachem Begin, 1/79–2/80. No classification marking.


273. Memorandum From Robert Hunter of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Agency File, Box 23, United Nations (UN), 1–7/79. Secret; Sensitive. A stamped notation at the top of the memorandum reads: “ZB has seen.” Brzezinski wrote in the upper right-hand corner: “RG Fri. breakfast issue. ZB.”


274. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Brown and Secretary of State Vance to President Carter

Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files, FRC 330–82–0205, Egypt 1979 Jan–July. Secret. A typewritten notation in the upper left-hand corner of the memorandum reads: “orig[inal] hand carried to the WH by S.”


275. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Egypt

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 11, Egypt: 7/79. Secret; Priority; Exdis.


276. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Aaron) to Vice President Mondale

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 51, Middle East: 7/79. Secret; Sensitive; Outside the System. Sent for information.


277. Summary of Conclusions of a Senior Level Meeting

Source: Carter Library, Brzezinski Donated Material, Subject File, Box 20, Alpha Channel (Miscellaneous)—5/79–8/79. Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. The summary was found attached to an unsigned July 27 covering memorandum from Gates to Raphel, stating that Carter approved the summary and that the check marks in the margins were the President’s.


278. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Lebanon and the White House

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Cables File, State Department Out, Box 117, 7/19–31/79. Confidential; Sensitive; Immediate; Nodis. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted by Draper; cleared by Brzezinski, Saunders, Tarnoff, and William Rope (S/S–O); approved by Vance. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840172–1591)


279. Presidential Determination No. 79–13

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 50, Presidential Determinations: 8/79–5/80. No classification marking. The attached Justification for the Presidential Determination, states, “Only the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict in its broadest context can assure stability in the Middle East. Until there is stability in the region at large, the concerns of Arabs and Israelis for their security, independence, and territorial integrity cannot be completely allayed. The Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty is to be the cornerstone of peace between Israel and all its neighbors. Egypt is leading the way toward the comprehensive peace that the Middle East so badly needs. Consequently, it is in the U.S. national interest to assist Egypt in meeting its legitimate security requirements, thereby bolstering Egypt’s resolve to continue to seek a permanent peace. The Egyptian Armed Forces are beginning a modernization program by replacing their Soviet-made equipment. The FMS financing will support some of the highest priority items in the Egyptian multi-year modernization program, and is in accord with the findings of Department of Defense fact-finding teams that have visited Egypt this year.” (Ibid.)


280. Telegram From the Embassy in Israel to the Department of State

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840090–2491. Secret; Immediate; Nodis.


282. Telegram From the Embassy in the People’s Republic of China to the Department of State

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, [no film number]. Secret; Cherokee; Immediate; Nodis.


283. Telegram From the Embassy in Israel to the Department of State and the White House

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Country Chron File, Box 22, Israel: 3–12/79. Secret; Cherokee; Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Cairo. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. In the right-hand margin of the telegram, Carter wrote: “The United States will not approve any UN resolution which would change or modify UN 242 at all. We will pursue the goals of security for Israel w[ith]in secure & recognized borders and the right of the Pales. to participate in the determination of their own future. In all cases, agreements already reached by Israel, Eg. & US at Camp David and in ME Peace Treaty will prevail. J.”


285. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840163–2067. Secret; Cherokee, Niact Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Niact Immediate to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.


286. Telegram From the Consulate General in Jerusalem to the White House and Department of State

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840131-1711. Secret; Cherokee; Niact Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Cairo and Tel Aviv.


287. Memorandum From Robert Hunter of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 51, Middle East: 8–12/79. Secret; Sensitive; Outside the System. Sent for information. In an undated handwritten note, Brzezinski set out a list of short points under the headings of “substance” and “process.” (Ibid.)


288. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840131–2456. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Tel Aviv and the White House.


289. Letter From Egyptian President Sadat to President Carter

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 5, Egypt: President Anwar al-Sadat, 1–12/79. No classification marking.


290. Telegram From the Embassy in Egypt to the Department of State and the White House

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840131-2464. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.


291. Message From the Special Representative of the President for Middle East Peace Negotiations (Strauss) to the Department of State and the White House

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Trip File, Box 43, Robert Strauss, Middle East, 9/9–15/79. Secret; Sensitive; Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Cairo, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem. The telegram is not numbered. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room.


292. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850050–2003. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Korn; cleared by Stapleton (S/S–O) and Draper; approved by Saunders. Sent for information Immediate to Cairo, Jerusalem, Beirut, and the White House.


293. Memorandum of Conversation

Source: Carter Library, Brzezinski Donated Material, Subject File, Box 36, Serial Xs—(5/79–9/79). Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room. Carter’s handwritten notes related to this meeting are in the Carter Library, Plains File, President’s Personal Foreign Affairs File, Box 1, Egypt, 11/77–11/81.


294. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 4, Autonomy Talks: 9–11/79. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Cairo. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted by Saunders; cleared by Robert S. Steven (S/S–O) and in substance in S/SN; approved by Saunders. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850050–1989)


295. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Israel and Egypt

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P850050–1985. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Sterner; cleared in S/S–O; approved by Saunders. Sent for information Immediate to Jerusalem, Amman, USUN, Sinai, Jidda, Riyadh, Damascus, Beirut, London, Paris, and the White House.


296. Summary of Conclusions of a Policy Review Committee Meeting

Source: Carter Library, Brzezinski Donated Material, Subject File, Box 25, (Meetings—PRC 123; 9/20/79). Secret. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.


297. Telegram From Secretary of State Vance to the Department of State and the Embassy in Jordan

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 56, Jordan: 7–11/79. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Beirut, Cairo, Jerusalem, Jidda, London, and Tel Aviv. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Vance was in New York to address the opening of the United Nations General Assembly. A handwritten notation in the right-hand margin reads: “important talk.”


298. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to President Carter

Source: Carter Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 77, PRC 123, 9/20/79, Egypt. Secret. Carter initialed “C” at the top of the memorandum, indicating that he saw the document. The memorandum was found attached to an October 1 covering memorandum from Brzezinski to Vance and Brown, directing them to produce by October 8 a joint State/Defense decision paper examining the implications of a long-term military assistance program for Egypt and advising them of Carter’s view that “we be cautious about excessive U.S. commitments” and that “budget constraints will be very severe.” (Ibid.)


299. 299. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Office, Presidential Advisory Board, Box 83, Sensitive XX: 10/1–11/79. Secret; Nodis.


300. Letter From the Israeli Ambassador to the United States (Evron) to President Carter

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Office, Presidential Advisory Board, Box 77, Sensitive X: 1–3/79. Secret.


301. Memorandum of Conversation

Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East, Subject File, Box 58, Lebanon: Senior Level 10/11/79 Meeting: 10/79. Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.